Delhi’s schools, colleges, offices to remain closed from Sept 8-10 for G20

Delhi Minister Atishi made a significant announcement on Wednesday regarding the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit, scheduled over the weekend. In preparation for the international event, Atishi declared that all schools, colleges, and offices in the city would remain closed from September 8th to September 10th.

Atishi, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), expressed Delhi’s readiness to welcome the esteemed delegates from around the world. She emphasized the transformation of major arterial roads to create a hospitable environment for foreign leaders.

One notable development is the tunnel around the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), which has been funded by the central government and constructed by the Public Works Department. Atishi explained that this tunnel provides a secure passage for G20 delegates entering the ITPO complex and will serve as a valuable asset for the future.

In preparation for the summit, the Delhi government has planted an impressive 1.5 lakh saplings. Additionally, the city has witnessed the installation of fountains in 30 locations and the placement of more than 80-90 statues.

Minister Atishi also highlighted the beautification and renovation efforts by the AAP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi in major markets in Greater Kailash 2 and Mehrauli.

While acknowledging that there may be some minor inconveniences due to restrictions, Atishi emphasized the immense opportunity that the G20 summit represents for India.

World leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are set to attend the G20 Summit. The event will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the summit.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 of the previous year, and since then, approximately 200 meetings related to the G20 have been organized across 60 cities in the country.

To facilitate seamless communication and navigation during the summit, the government also launched the ‘G20 India’ mobile app. This app, available in all member countries’ languages, will offer UPI access and navigation facilities to Indian and foreign delegates attending the summit.